Embrace Different

While in Los Angeles for work last week, I checked out Laurel Hardware, a very cool restaurant on Santa Monica Boulevard.

As you may have guessed, it was once a hardware store. For 62 years, in fact. And I think it’s pretty awesome that the new owners kept the hardware store name. And even more awesome that they kept the original, vintage signage. Check it out:

I appreciate how the restaurant embraced the history of their space. They built upon what they were in the past to become who they are now. And this makes them really stand out as a unique restaurant (not to mention a designer’s dream).

Moral of the story? We should embrace who we are and where we’ve been. Especially if it’s different. How else will we stand out in this world?